NEW LONDON, Conn.  Faced by a cadre of critics who see U.S. leadership in the world as arrogant and bellicose, President Bush used a commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday to highlight the kinder, gentler side of U.S. foreign policy and challenge other nations to follow its lead.

President Bush, at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, addressed graduates on terrorism and homeland security.

By J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Bush, under a light drizzle, told the 178 graduates commissioned as Coast Guard officers that while U.S. military power is making the world a safer place, the "generosity" and "compassion" of America in combating AIDS, famine, poverty, disease and malnutrition overseas are also making the world a better place.

The president urged other countries, including European nations that have been among his harshest war critics, to make similar commitments in dollars and materials and ease trade rules to relieve the human burdens on poorer countries.

"The only question that matters is, 'How much good are we doing to help people that are poor?' "Bush said.

The speech was aimed at defusing disagreements over Iraq that could flare up at the upcoming G-8 summit of the world's top economic powers, which Bush will attend early next month in Evian-les-Bains, France. Bush also wanted to highlight humanitarian issues, where he sees other countries lagging.

The speech also was viewed as an effort by Bush to build overseas goodwill among poorer nations and to soften the global U.S. image. America has taken some hard hits over Iraq in the Muslim world and in forums such as the United Nations and the European Union.

Bush said in the speech that he would use the G-8 meetings to press his case for greater involvement by Japan, Germany, Canada and France in fighting AIDS, hunger and other human scourges in Africa and around the world.

"I will remind them that the clock is ticking, that every single day 8,000 more people will die from AIDS in Africa," he said.

The president noted that he proposed and Congress passed last week a $15 billion package of aid over five years to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.

"I look forward to signing the bill next week," he said.

Bush said the new money will prevent 7 million new HIV infections, treat 2 million people with life-extending drugs and provide care for 10 million HIV-infected individuals and AIDS orphans.

Bush also accused Europe of impeding efforts to feed starving Africans by blocking the use of genetically modified crops, which he said would "dramatically" boost productivity and provide food across the continent. "They have blocked all new bio-crops because of unfounded, unscientific fears," Bush said.

But while the Bush speech was focused on shoring up U.S. stature overseas, congressional Democrats wasted little time in attacking him for what they see as inadequate security measures at home in the face of new terrorist threats.

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, issued a statement charging that while Bush was accepting the plaudits of the Coast Guard — now a part of the Department of Homeland Security — he was not providing enough money for the service to perform its new job.

"The Coast Guard is a wonderful service," Lieberman said. "But it cannot meet its new challenges with rusty, antiquated equipment. The agency itself has told us that the readiness of its fleet is decreasing even while maintenance costs are increasing."

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